Don’t blame GOP, thank them

Monday

Aug 26, 2013 at 1:18 PMAug 26, 2013 at 1:18 PM

Richard Hermann

The punditocracy, particularly on the left but also including a handful of generally right-wing commentators, is raging against congressional Republicans for wasting the taxpayers’ time and money. Before going home for their five- to six-week summer vacations, they passed a bunch of silly, pointless, symbolic bills — like allowing Americans to tape phone conversations with federal officials — destined to die a much-deserved death in the Senate while important national problems go begging for attention. The talking heads are missing the point. We need to embrace the Grand Obstacle Party and accord it our heartfelt congratulations and blessings for doing nothing of substance while voting 40 times to repeal Obamacare and gin up mindless bills that they think will impress the base back home (yes, they really do think their constituents are that stupid). It’s about time. Lest we forget, these are the same folks who, when they actually did address serious substantive issues, plunged us into two disastrous wars while simultaneously plunging us deep into a debt black hole that we may never escape. Rather that these representatives of the citizenry do nothing of note than gum up the national works even more. I commend the Republican Party for letting the big issues fester while they play their harmless little party games. We are the better for it. Lest the pundits expend all of their hand-wringing anguish on the do-nothing congressional Republicans, they are taking their concern a step further and are all over House Majority Leader “Minimum” John Boehner for scheduling only nine work days in September, when the House returns from its mis-labeled August recess. We are fortunate that Boehner has the presence of mind to limit the damage and allow us to dodge additional destructive bullets. Just think of all the harm his colleagues could do if they ever actually worked a normal month like their constituents. Given that Congress has so completely lost its way, those who wish for more from Capitol Hill need to rethink that visceral, knee-jerk reaction whenever they see or hear that Congress is not exactly killing itself with work. I for one am happy to pay their comfortable salaries, provide them with healthcare and retirement plans that average Americans would kill for, and allow them to delve into corporate deep pockets in order to enrich themselves and take nice trips, as long as they don’t get serious and go to work. Richard Hermann is a part-time Canandaigua resident and Canandaigua Academy graduate. Email him care of Messenger Post Media at messenger@messengerpostmedia.com.